Why You Shouldn't Play Through Knee Pain

About 1 in 4 American adults experience knee pain, accounting for about 4 million doctor visits a year. While many cases resolve with rest and home care, some people aggravate their knee injuries by “playing through” the pain. 

This is true whether the knee problem results from a sports injury or an overuse condition. The demands of daily life and the spirit of competition can each cause you to downplay the extent of your discomfort. Increasingly, knee pain may start to dominate your life. 

The question remains when, if ever, is it okay to ignore knee pain. The Bahri Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Clinic team recommends the answer is never, at least until you receive clearance after an examination. The potential for further damage can’t be ignored. 

Origins of knee pain

As you might expect with a major and complex joint, many things can go wrong with the knee, including traumatic injury, overuse, and medical conditions, including arthritis. The bones, cartilage, and ligaments of the knee joint are all potentially vulnerable, and secondary soft tissue can also create pain. 

Common injuries to the knee include: 

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are common in activities with quick changes of direction
• Broken bones, including the kneecap
• Bursitis is the inflammation of fluid-filled sacs that cushion the outsides of your knees
• Meniscus tears, tough cartilage between the major bones of the knee
• Tendinitis of the patellar (kneecap) tendon

Arthritis types that affect the knee: 

• Osteoarthritis, the most common form, a wear-and-tear condition
• Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that can be serious
• Gout, a build-up of uric acid crystals within a joint
• Pseudogout, calcium, rather than uric acid, forms crystals
• Septic arthritis, stemming from an infection

Other problems: 

• Dislocated kneecap, where the kneecap moves out of place, usually toward the outside
• Debris in the joint, typically bits of bone or cartilage
• Foot and hip pain can change your gait, increasing the stress on your knee

There are many other potential causes for knee pain, and often, the type of pain connects with particular sports or activities. 

Potential for further damage

Your knee pain may well be a minor problem that heals independently or with rest and modest home care. However, when you have a condition that doesn’t resolve within a week or two, it’s quite possible that you have a more serious condition that will continue to get worse. Playing through the pain is likely the worst course of action in this case. If you’ve had previous knee injuries, it’s also more likely you’ll have similar injuries in the future. 

When knee pain causes problems when you walk, when you suffer an injury, or when other symptoms come on quickly, it’s time to visit Bahri Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Clinic, no matter what the cause of your issue. Don’t play through the pain. Call or click to schedule your appointment and examination today.